Documentary about misery dedicated to Robin Williams

Jan 22, 2015. Kevin Pollak, director and co-writer of the documentary film "Misery Loves Comedy," center, poses with cast members Lisa Kudrow, left, and Kevin Smith at the premiere of the film at the Egyptian Theatre at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival in Utah.
(The Associated Press)

Does the best comedy come from pain? And does that mean comedians are the most miserable people of all?

That's what comic Kevin Pollack wanted to discover in his documentary, "Misery Loves Comedy," which premiered Friday at the Sundance Film Festival. He dedicated the film "in loving memory and gratitude" to his friend and mentor, Robin Williams, whose suicide last year came just as Pollack was finishing the project.

Williams does not appear in the film, though Pollack said he was "quite desperate and interested" to participate. But the long hours Williams worked on his TV series "The Crazy Ones" prevented him from joining the cast.

Pollack interviewed more than 60 comics, actors and funny folks to find out if comedy requires misery, and found the answer to be both yes and no.

Even two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks said he spent "54 and ½ years of living in self-loathing."

The pain of life isn't limited to comics and performers, Pollack said.

"Everyone has suffered through misery," he said. "It is the human condition. And the performer or the writer or the filmmaker or the actor must figure out a way to articulate it in a way that makes it either relatable or universal."

Tribeca Film announced Friday that it acquired "Misery Loves Comedy" for distribution and plans to release it theatrically in the spring.